A new program offers a taste of events from arts philanthropies aimed at a younger demographic. CultureHaus
Reel Social Club is offering members discounted tickets to Summer Scream at Lakeside. Eric Peterson
The launch party will be thrown at DaDa Art Bar on May 29.
Cross-Cultured memberships go on sale at the inaugural Denver Flea at City Park on May 24. CultureHaus
Cross-Cultured's goal is to sell 2,000 memberships this year. Eric Peterson
A new program offers a taste of events from arts philanthropies aimed at a younger demographic, including the Denver Art Museum's CultureHaus, the Denver Film Society's Reel Social Club and the Clyfford Still Museum's 1944 Society. A Cross-Cultured membership offers free and discounted tickets to 25 events between July and October for $30.
The mind behind Cross-Cultured, Katie Kruger says the concept stems from her involvement on the board of CultureHaus, the young philanthropists' group at the Denver Art Museum.
"We have a real challenge recruiting new members," she says. The big hangup? "You can't go to any events unless you're a member." CultureHaus isn't the only local arts group with this problem, she adds.
After talking with P.J. Hoberman of Denver Off the Wagon, Kruger came up with Cross-Cultured, modeled after the Denver Passport, which offers discounts at 60 bars and breweries for $20. "We about doing a Denver Passport type of thing for philanthropic organizations," she says.
Kruger then convened leaders from Remix at the Colorado Symphony, Reel Social Club at the Denver Film Society, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival's Perspective, Center Stage at the Colorado Ballet, MCA Denver and other like-minded organizations.
"We started to have a conversation about how a rising tide lifts all boats," says Kruger. "We really want it to be a stage where we can spotlight each institution to a largely unaware audience."
The result in Cross-Cultured, a $30 temporary membership to all of the associated organizations. There are more than 25 free or discounted events on the calendar between July and October between all of the groups.
A collective effort
"It's almost like a cultural matchmaking organization," Kruger explains. She sees Cross-Cultured as "a platform, not an umbrella” and says its strength comes from numbers. "That's where the value is -- it's not just one organization, it's multiple organizations collaborating together."
The five-year-old Reel Social Club is offering Cross-Cultured members discounted tickets to three big summer events, including the annual Summer Scream at Lakeside Amusement Park.
"It's a really fun, retro party," says Alison Greenberg, Advancement Director with the Denver Film Society. The Reel Social Club's membership is $80 a year, so Cross-Cultured represents a bargain price for a taste.
"We're all fighting for the same demographic, so I like the idea of a collective effort," Greenberg adds. "People our age don't know about all of the cool things going in Denver."
For her part, Kruger says CultureHaus keeps her in the loop of the arts world. She has an artistic background, but she's moved on to other pursuits in her career. "It's allowed me to stay connected in a social context," she says of CultureHaus.
"This is a pilot program so we don't really know what to expect," says Kruger of her goals for Cross-Cultured year one. Her target is selling 2,000 memberships, but that's only a means to an end.
"We want to convert them to long-term members of our groups. Even if we convert only five percent, I would be really pleased with it."
Cross-Cultured memberships go on sale at the inaugural Denver Flea at City Park on May 24. The launch party will be thrown at DaDa Art Bar on May 29.
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Eric is a Denver-based tech writer and guidebook wiz. Contact him
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